The Chicago Blackhawks allowed an NHL icon to bind one of Wayne Gretzky’s League records in its latest game.
On Sunday, they will strive to stop another superstar that recently broke one of Gretzky’s brands such as Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Blackhawks.
Chicago comes from Friday’s 5-3 road loss to Washington Capitals. The nurse a 3-2 lead after two periods gave Blackhawks three goals in the third and lost her fifth straight decision (0-4-1).
Capital Superstar Alex Ovechkin scored two goals to increase his career a total of 894 and matched Gretzky for the most all the time.
“Congratulations to Ovi; it’s an incredible performance,” said Blackhawks interim coach Anders Sorensen. “But we were here to win the game, and we didn’t.
“We’ve talked about it before, (needs) to close these games and get points or get a win.”
Pittsburgh (31-34-12, 74 points) can pass a winning record with three games with a victory with a victory on Sunday. The Penguins recovered from Thursday’s 5-4 overtime loss to St. Louis Blues with a 5-3 victory in Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
Crosby had a hat trick as well as an assist to climb to 86 points this season. On March 27, he dressed a 20th season on average at least one point per match to pass Gretzky for the most part in NHL history.
As the penguins continue to ward off elimination from the Playoff race in the Eastern Conference, they have reached their share of milestones.
Bryan Rust registered one of Pittsburgh’s four goals from the third period Saturday to match his only season’s best out of 28 goals and 58 points. It was also Rust 200th career goals, which made him one of nine penguins to achieve the urgency.
“Means I grow old, first and foremost,” said Rust, 32. Second, I’m really proud. I didn’t think I would ever say I scored 200 goals in the NHL. “
Chicago (21-45-10, 52 points) has dropped five games in a row (0-4-1) and 12 of its last 13 (1-10-2).
Shaky goalkeeper has marked Blackhawks latest ski. Since he claimed a 7-4-shootout against visiting Philadelphia on March 23, the Blackhawks have given five goals in four of the last five matches.
The Chicago attack has not done much better, on and off the ice.
Lukas Reichel was a healthy scratch in Washington on Friday after missing a team meeting that morning. Reichel said he forgot his cell phone charger and the phone died as he slept and kept his alarm from sounding.
“It (stunk), but it won’t happen again,” said Reichel, who was part of the line rushing during Saturday’s exercise. “I’ve never been late at a meeting once. I was just not smart enough.”
Sunday will highlight the season’s first meeting between the Blackhawks and Penguins, which will end a home-and-home set on Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
Crosby comes to Chicago at a 12-game point containing 11 goals and nine assists.
Evgeni Malkin received an assist in Dallas after a four-game absence with an upper body injury.
“I’m happy to be back. I’m happy to play,” Malkin said. “Continue.”
-Field level media
